India, Japan to finalize a base sharing pact

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Japan from Oct 28 to 29 for an annual summit with his counterpart Shinzo Abe, and a base sharing pact between the two militaries is on the agenda.

The so-called acquisition and cross-servicing agreement would allow the Indian military and the Japan Self Defense Force to use each other's bases for logistical support.

The proposed base sharing agreement was already discussed during the annual India-Japan Defense Ministerial Dialogue held in New Delhi this August with both sides agreeing to its rapid conclusion.

During the summit meeting, Japan is also expected to discuss with India the purchase of maritime surveillance aircraft for the Indian Navy.